This 16-day Myanmar tour is about natural and cultural discovery — you will go beyond the surface and have an in-depth exploration of Mandalay, Bagan, Inwa, and Yangon.
Uncover historic pagodas, climb the sacred Mount Popa, drift down the scenic Irrawaddy River on a luxury cruise, and feel refreshed at Ngapali Beach. Myanmar is always charming and ready to delight and amaze you.
You won't get the best out of this golden land until you connect with pious monks, hill tribes in Kalaw, and the Inle Lake locals by chatting with them.
Your experienced guide will show you the most authentic side of Myanmar and you'll avoid traveling within a crowd of tourists.
Day
16
Price
from US$3,927 P/P
Best For
First-Timers
Best Time
Oct. to Feb.
Tour Highlights





China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Our trip to Li Jiang and Shaxi Yunnan
We arrived at Lijiang on 9/8. We enjoyed the time in Lijiang a lot with good hotel selection and a well planned program. We went onto Shaxi for the local singing festival of the local minority groups. It was a fantastic experience. What makes the trip most memorable is our guide Alice. She took excellent care of us, anticipating our every need. She was personable, warm and very knowledgeable. We shared many laughters and traded stories. She brought smiles to us during the entire trip. We will specifically ask for her again when we come back to Yunnan. Five star service. More
Consumer,
Sep 2023
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Great trip around Shanghai
This was our first time ever visiting Shanghai so we wanted to see good places to go to and good food to eat in Shanghai. That's why we booked with China Highlights. They're very responsive and quick to arrange our 3 day trip. Our guide name is Qi and she is a very sweet and helpful person. She knew we wanted to explore many local foods, so she brought us some local breakfast foods when she picked us up from our hotel, just so we can try everything! She was knowledgeable as well about the culture and history of the places we went to. Will definitely recommend this tour and use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! More
Sherry,
Sep 2023
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Great way to see the city
Private tour with China highlights made seeing Xi'an super easy. We saved a lot of time with a private driver, and our guide Jenny took really good care of us, sending instructions for where to meet once getting off the train and made everything feel really safe and easy. She also accommodated a number of last minute changes to our itinerary without batting an eye. She was very patient, knowledgeable and friendly. It was great having a guide who grew up locally in the area to show us around (which is not always the case, from my previous experiences elsewhere). Would definitely recommend! More
Stephanie N,
Sep 2023
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One Day Beijing Trip (Great Wall, Summer Palace) With Jennifer
My tour guide Jennifer made this quick one day trip to Beijing great! The day started out a bit overcast and rainy when I landed, but Jennifer’s positive attitude and kind communication (along with her being able to keep up/put up with my jokes) made it fine.Despite this, Jennifer and our driver Chen were able to swing an extra photo shoot stop at the Olympic Stadium. I guess it gives me an excuse to come back to visit again, and when I do - I will use China Highlights and this great fantastic team. More
Alan Landau,
Sep 2023
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Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide!
Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide! She is extremely informative all the way through. She knows hers stuff and she is also enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and very willing to help. The whole day was perfect. A great amount of walking and a lots of physical activity ( hiking) and she was all smiling, accommodating and keeping us informative. She was absolutely the best tour guide we've ever encountered in China. Her English is perfect! Everything was so well organized. Her knowledge of the local culture and history is impressive. Fantastic More
pdaroundthewrorld,
Sep 2023
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Best Great Wall experience
Used China Highlights for a private all-day tour of Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall. One of the best days of my life! Tour guide Alan and a driver met me at my hotel and the ride was very comfortable. Alan was extremely knowledgable and friendly, I really enjoyed talking with him. The scenery was astoundingly beautiful; this is a less touristy portion of the Wall. The hiking was fun, Alan brought plenty of water, and showed me things I would not have noticed by myself. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch that Alan had arranged - delicious! Once in a lifetime experience. More
LZviajera,
Sep 2023
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Wonderful experience!
Our tour guide was Mervyn, and she was amazing! She had great knowledge of Xi'an and the silk road, and we learned so many things we didn't know before. The Muslim quarter is a must-see, with so many streets of food. Terracotta warriors were breathtaking. We did a Hanfu experience and enjoyed walking the city at night in our tang Dynasty outfits. We wish we spent more than 2 days here as there's so much to do. Definitely recommend this tour and will be visiting again! More
Laura A,
Sep 2023
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Unforgettable trip to Guilin
We enjoyed an incredible two day trip in Guilin, taking a brief half-day boat cruise on the Li River and cycling around Yangshuo in the afternoon with our guide Gary. Gary met us at the airport and made us feel very welcome, providing us with five-star service. He gave us a lot of insight about Guilin and the Guangxi region and even gave us a tai chi lesson on the boat. He provided us excellent dining suggestions for the evening as well as suggestions of things to do. Thank you Gary for making our trip to Guilin so memorable! More
Regis B,
Sep 2023
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars
We were paired with great guides on every city, very knowleadgeble and hardworking people that made our trip fabulous. Jack in Beijing was brilliant and very resourceful making sure we enjoyed the city even when he wasn't with us. In Xi'An we were paired with Crystal that was incredibly smart and made sure we felt we had not only a guide but a friend to rely on in Xi'An, we loved how she made sure we tried the best food and fruit available and helped us from arrival to departure from Xi'An. Finally, kudos to Gary (Wei Li) that worked with us in Guiling and Yangshuo. Gary is a local to Guiling and truly proud of his city and origins. We learned a lot from him and he trully went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time in Guiling adjusting the itinerary to our liking and taking time to explain everything. On our flight out of Guiling we had a bit of an issue with our tickets (booked by ourselves) and Gary promptly lent a hand to help us sort it out with the airport staff, trully a champion. If you are heading to Guiling with Chinahighlights, make sure to have Gary as your guide. More
Moises,
Sep 2023
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Amazing tour!
Our guide, Linda, was by far the best person to have for our tours of The Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and Mutianyu Great Wall. She was an encyclopedia with great knowledge of Chinese History and was able to explain every detail of what we were seeing. She picked us up with a very nice car and driver from our hotel both days, at the time most convenient to us, and dropped us back off wherever we wanted at the end of our tours. Both the Forbidden City and the Great Wall are marvels of human and Chinese achievements and are a must to see in Beijing. Visiting them both with a tour guide that feels more like a friend was certainly helping enjoying it even more. More
Robin Z,
Sep 2023
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Stunning Yellow Mountain and beautiful Ancient Villages
We had the most fantastic experience with our tour guide, Jack Fan, who is very knowledgeable about the Yellow Mountain and was able to get us quickly to the most stunning highlights. He was our "photographer" anytime we wanted a photo and that was very often. We made the most of our time having him guiding us. He was truly the mountain man as he is a local there. He is very passionate about what he does. He loves history, nature, and travel, which is a must for a guide. He provided historical facts about the stunning Ancient villages at Hong Cun and Xidi. He answered any questions we had about history, nature, and current things we had. I felt like he was a professor, and we were his students in a very good way. He was NEVER late, and neither was our driver. They never bought us anywhere to "sell" us things. He took us to buy tea only when we asked to buy a specific tea, staying much later than he should have! I wanted to check out lotus and rice fields, which was not on the itinerary, but he squeezed it in for us. We were very well taken care of. I highly recommend Jack for a tour guide who speaks English. More
annemompt,
Sep 2023
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An Unforgettable Tibetan Adventure - Qinghai Train Ride Y971
I recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Tibet, a land steeped in mysticism and rich cultural heritage. My train trip on the famous scenic Qinghai route on train Y971 Lhasa played a significant role in making this trip an extraordinary experience.Upon my arrival in Lhasa via an overnight train, I was warmly welcomed by the guide assigned Tenzin Lhatse. He had waited for more than 3 hours as he was not informed there was a change in the train schedule. Nontheless, it did not dampen his warm attitude and the seamless transferfrom the train station to the hotel set a positive tone for my stay.The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the visit to the iconic Potala Palace. The sheer grandeur and architectural brilliance of this historic site left me in awe. The guidance of my knowledgeable tour guide, who revealed the stories behind each shrine, enriched my experience. However, the strict visitor limits and rules underscored the importance of preserving this ancient marvel. The Old Barkhor Street Walking Tour was a journey through time. From Jokhang Temple to the bustling local market, each stop offered insights into Tibetan daily life and folk customs. The Pandatsang Compound's history and the cup of Tibetan sweet tea at Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery added unique flavors to the tour.Overall, my journey through Tibet was an incredible odyssey into a world of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. I'm glad to have taken this step with my wife to challenge the train ride which was totally worthy of this lifetime. More
GOH-family-tours,
Sep 2023
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Wonderful trip to the Chinese Silk Road
Special shout out to our guide for the Gansu leg, Helen, who was the most caring guide we have come across in all of our travels. Make sure you ask for her! More
ED,
Sep 2023
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Fantastic first trip in Shanghai
My partner and I were visiting China for the first time. Our tour guide was Martin, who was friendly and very knowledgeable. He adjusted the tour to our needs and gave us an extensive tour of Shanghai as well as many fascinating insights on China. He also went above and beyond and offered us plenty of recommendations on what to do in the evenings, how to get there, and even made bookings for us. Martin, thanks again! More
Regis,
Sep 2023
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Yangshuo is magical from the misty…
The guide Lily has a great knowledge in hidden gems and the history about the places. Very memorable experience that i have thanks to them. More
Dony Yugo,
Sep 2023
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Beijing is AMAZING
Linda Wang our amazing tour guide helped us to have an unforgettable trip to all the best of Beijing. From organizing the driver (also excellent) to drop us/pick us up exactly when we were leaving busy tourist sites, excellent food recommendations, fascinating knowledge relevant to us and our children (13yo and 11yo) making The Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square, Great Wall, Beijing Zoo and The Hutongs thoroughly enjoyable. Handling all the entrance/exit passport and ticket requirements, interpreting, answering any questions we had about local culture, we were so comfortable and happy, never rushed, everything you could want and more. More
Michelle A,
Sep 2023
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Incredible 2 day tour of Jiuzhaiguo
Our tour guide Mary spoke perfect English, was so nice to us and took us to all the best sights in Jiuzhaiguo. It was an unforgettable tour with incredible views! More
Declan O,
Sep 2023
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Helen is the best Panda tour guide going around!
I had a fantastic Panda tour with Helen in Chengdu City. From the moment she picked me up, my energy was low from a heap of travelling, but Helen quickly brought me up a notch with her breathtaking passion for Pandas. Not only did she provide a fantastic experience accommodating my every need, but she was also a genuinely kind and joyful company to tour the city with. I can't recommend Helen enough - you won't regret it! More
Isaac C,
Sep 2023
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Two days in Xi’an
What an amazing few days in Xi’an! Our guide Jenny was first class - very knowledgeable and very helpful, she went out of her way to make sure we had the best experience like ordering us coffees & food and booking dinners for us. The highlight was of course visiting the Terracotta Warriors, but we also really enjoyed visiting a local family to make dumplings. Can’t recommend this trip and Jenny enough! More
Marvin K,
Sep 2023
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Fantastic experiences in Guilin and the beautiful surroundings together with Vincent.
Lib230524097 More
Go44854472794,
Sep 2023
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Itinerary Details
This 16-day tour aims to cover the highlights and essence of Myanmar, which is defined as an authentic experience by travelers. The itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to meet your preferences.
Upon arrival, your guide and driver will greet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day to adjust to the jet lag or spend your free time wandering around your hotel.
Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar. The Burmese deities and ethnic identities are fully expressed in this city.
Start your trip by visiting Kuthodaw Pagoda. The superb sight of hundreds of tablets clustered around a main pagoda explains why it deserves the name of being the world's largest book.
Soak up Mahagandayon Monastery's pious atmosphere by witnessing thousands of pious monks standing solemnly to receive their food.
After having lunch, head to the ancient city of Inwa to visit Inwa Palace and the Bagaya Monastery.
Paddle in the river, hold your breath, and be amazed by the sight of U Bein Bridge stretching its enchanting outline in the fading light of the day.
During your stay in a city of deities, why not join in with a holy ceremony? Get up early and follow the local devotees — you will see them take offerings to Mahamuni Buddha Temple and start a 1-hour face-washing ritual at 04:00./p>
You will arrive at Sagaing Jetty at about 10:00, ready to start your relaxing cruise on the scenic Irrawaddy River to Bagan. /p>
Have a short excursion to visit Yandabo Village along the way. Yandabo Village, where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed and the First Anglo-Burmese War ended, played an important role in history. You can learn some pottery handicraft skills from a local potter there. /p>
Stay overnight on the cruise ship, which will be moored near the tranquil Shwe Nann Tint.
You will have a short visit to a riverfront village before disembarking at Old Bagan Pier at about 09:00.
You will have a half-day visit to the Shwezigon Pagoda, which was constructed in 1060. It's the antecedent of a Burmese-style pagoda and the most recognized shrine in Nyaung-U. Before returning to your hotel, enjoy dinner at Nyaung U Market.
The stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bagan Archaeological Zone, is an ideal destination for every traveler. Hundreds and thousands of temples, stupas, and pagodas sprawl out solemnly and magnificently in the morning sunlight. As they sprawl out across 25 square kilometers, you will visit typical sites, such as the Ananda Temple, Dhammayangyi Temple, and the Mahabodhi Temple.
Your lunch will be at a local restaurant.
Conclude today's journey by taking an ox cart ride to see Bagan's splendor at dusk.
Depart Bagan with a 1½-hour drive. You will visit a scenic village with towering palm trees and get the chance to learn how the locals earn their living by scaling palm trees for juice and refining oil from peanuts and sesame seeds.
Head towards the mythical Mount Popa, which is home of the nats, 37 unsettled spirits. Nat worship is the third widely accepted religion in Myanmar, which holds the opinion that everything has its own spirit, and it predates Buddhism there. It's worth taking the 777 steps to reach Taung Kalat and get a bird's-eye view of numerous temples from the summit.
In the afternoon, you will be driven back to Bagan.
You will be transferred to Kalaw upon your arrival at Heho (the airport town near Inle Lake) by flight.
Check in to your hotel and wander around Kalaw as you wish.
Start your day by trekking along the Palaung people's trails to Ywa Thit Village. The idyllic scenery along the road makes this 9-kilometer trek very joyful.
Continue to trek and arrive at the Kalaw reservoir. Built in the 1920s, it's home to endangered birds. Rare birds including red-headed vultures, Mrs. Hume's pheasants, oriental pied hornbills, and sarus cranes can be found there.
Catch a rest on your way to Inle Lake by car, which takes 1½ hours.
A delightful visit to a local market, which is held every 5 days, will give you an overview of how the locals trade and live. You will never get bored at this bustling market, which has boats crossing the water and vendors selling exquisite handicrafts.
Move on to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most important shrine for the locals.
You may be curious about the floating gardens and the skilled fishermen rowing their boats with one leg. As your boat cruises among narrow water lanes and past floating houses, you will learn about the ethnic cultures and traditions from your knowledgeable guide. The locals collect weeds from the depths of the lake to fertilize vegetables and fruits in their farmlands. The lake is their homeland, which they build and develop from generation to generation.
Discovering Indein Village is the highlight of the whole day.
The magnificent Indein Pagoda complex is hidden behind narrow and meandering waterways and riverbanks.
You will visit the famous Nyaung Ohak to see hundreds of brick pagodas. Take a walk to discover the Shwe Indein Pagoda where thousands of small stupas spring out at the lakeshore. Their moss-covered surfaces reveal their historical story. There's no need to control your heartbeat from such a big and pleasant surprise — just enjoy the moment and store this charming sight in your memory.
After lunch at a floating restaurant, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
You will arrive in Thandwe by flight and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please.
Dress properly while sunbathing on the beach as a gesture of respect both to the Burmese and yourself.
Enjoy some sunshine at the beach in Ngapali and feel refreshed with a cool drink.
Say goodbye to the relaxing beach vacation and take your flight to Yangon. On your way to downtown Yangon, stop at Aung San Suu Kyi's house where she was under house arrest for 15 years.
After lunch and checking in at your hotel, a visit to U Thant House will help you learn about a former UN Secretary-General's life and story.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the holiest place for local devotees and is also the landmark of Yangon. This gilded pagoda is studded with nearly 5,000 diamonds and some gems. When the sun is setting, the pagoda glitters in the dusk. It is a picturesque, sacred, and particularly soul-touching sight.
Jump onto a train at Yangon Circular Railway for an overview of this city. This journey takes about 3 hours even though it's only 45 kilometers long. Being seated among different commuters on their way to schools, offices, and marketplaces will give you a better idea about the local people's daily lives and you can learn why Yangon is more laid-back compared with other capital cities in Southeast Asia.
A museum is the best place to learn about a city quickly. You will learn more about this city by visiting the National Museum of Myanmar.
Bogyoke Aung San Market is in memory of General Aung San. You can buy a variety of jewelry, carved wood utensils, and specialties there.
If you want to witness how important the giant reclining Buddha is to local devotees, Chaukhtatgyi Paya is a must-see.
Your 16-day in-depth Myanmar tour has come to an end and your guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight back home. Thanks for traveling with Global Highlights and we hope to help you again soon.
Price Includes
Price from: $3,927 (Tour code: gh-ah-10)








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Why Travel with Global Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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